Project Background

One of the highest risk activities for traffic management operatives is identified as exposure to live traffic whilst erecting and taking down temporary traffic management (TTM) signs. It has long been the view from industry that if the number of signs could be reduced this would immediately reduce the number of carriageway crossings and therefore risk exposure of operatives, but the Agency needs to balance risk to both the road worker and the travelling public when considering any change in current policy or practices. Previous work has identified that there is scope to reduce the number of signs and simplify temporary traffic management. More recently a task carried out for the Agency to assess the comprehension of temporary traffic signs by the general public was unfortunately unable to reach any definitive conclusions. This Task aims to provide the Agency with a data-led case for any recommended changes, which will be obtained by objectively measuring driver reaction to current and simplified sign layouts and carrying out a controlled network roll-out of any simplified temporary traffic management sign layout.

Project Objectives

The main objectives of the task are: Measure driver visual behaviour and car control and hence establish driver reactions to the simplification of current temporary traffic management signage. Carry out a limited area roll-out of the best alternative TTM layout identified in the simulator trial. Monitor the limited area roll-out and report the key findings regarding road worker risk and driver reaction to the Agency. These objectives will be delivered through the following sub-tasks: Sub-task 1: Review of previous research and consultancy; Sub-task 2: Stakeholder workshops and test layout design; Sub-task 3: Simulator studies; Sub-task 4: Network trial of one simplified layout. Sub-task 5: Analysis and reporting

Project Summary

This task will enable the Agency to minimise risk to its road workers and users of its network. Reducing the number of signs needed for temporary traffic management will reduce the sign clutter that currently exists. This will make it easier for drivers to understand road works and may reduce accidents.
The greater benefit is to road worker health and safety. The Agency wishes to reduce risk to road workers, with the specific goal of eliminating the carriageway crossings required to implement a lane closure. A reduction in signage would decrease road worker exposure to live traffic and could significantly reduce the need to cross the carriageway. This task will address both these issues and will enable the Agency to have an immediate impact on the safety of Supply Chain and Agency staff working on the network.

Other finished research and research in progress you might be interested in: